The holidays are a great time to catch up with friends. To help you find great eateries with large enough spaces, here are pro-recommended restaurants that are ideal for group dining.
Photograph courtesy of Keens Steakhouse
STEAK & MUTTON CHOPS | Keens Steakhouse
They’ve been serving group dinners since 1885. The portions are sizable, the staff is friendly, and there are big tables to accommodate all of your pals. Aldea’s chef George Mendes says, “It's just delicious, period. I always get the Porterhouse Steak. It's the combination of two favorite cuts of meat, the filet mignon and the New York strip with the bone in the middle. High quality meat. But I think the first time I came here what struck me was the history behind it. Being in Herald Square, they used to be in the old theater district and were known for their mutton chops and there was a period of time, I believe in the ‘30s or ‘40s, where no women were allowed. Then what made the mutton chop famous was a female Broadway performer snuck in or got in and she was accepted. That changed the whole game and she ordered the mutton chops and that's how still to this day they're famous.”
72 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018
T: 212.947.3636 | www.keens.com
Book a Table
Photograph courtesy of Jing Fong
DIM SUM | Jing Fong
Chef April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig recommends this boisterous dim sum banquet hall where you can share lots of dishes.“When we get people in from out of town, I love to take them here. It’s cheap and cheerful and casual. It is like the size of a football pitch [soccer field] and the dim sum is really delicious.”
20 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10013
T: 212.964.5256 | jingfongny.com
Photograph courtesy of Rotisserie Georgette | Photo Credit: M. Hom
FRENCH ROAST CHICKEN | Rotisserie Georgette
In addition to the main dining room, they have a private room with a window overlooking the rotisserie action. Bartender and restaurateur Xavier Herit of The Wallflower loves that you can see chef David Malbequi in an open kitchen with the rotisseries turning behind him. “The food is very flavorful, rustic, like countryside French food. I really like the roasted chicken with mushrooms.”
14 East 60th Street, New York, NY
T: 212.390.8060 | www.rotisserieg.com
Book a Table
Photo Credit: ©Find. Eat. Drink.
KOREAN | Jongro BBQ
“The best places are on the second floor in K-town!” says chef Esther Choi about this Korean barbecue restaurant with their own in-house butcher. Great for sharing and exploring their different cuts of meat.
22 West 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001 | T: 212.473.2233
Photo Credit: Noah Fecks
FILIPINO | Jeepney
This is a casual Filipino restaurant in the East Village with a back room for larger groups. Nom Wah’s Wilson Tang recommends coming here for their Kamayan Night on Wednesday and Thursdays. “It is a Filipino tradition where they put out all this food on a long banana leaf and you eat with your hands. It is a fixed price and you get things like longganisa (sausage), lumpiang (Filipino egg roll), a whole red snapper, suckling pig and a lot of rice all laid out on the table.”
201 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003
T: 212.533.4121 | www.jeepneynyc.com
Photograph courtesy of Toro
SPANISH TAPAS | Toro
Toro features a few options for group dining, including their Chef's Table where they serve family-style dinners. Chef Matt Lambert of The Musket Room is a fan of their Erizos Con Caviar, which is a spoon with caviar, Maine uni, Iberico jamon and a quail egg. "It's really good. I also like the Tripa De Bacalao Guisado -- cod tripe with octopus head and spaetzle and it is delicious. There is a dish that is tripe with beans and a smoky sort of tomato sauce with blood sausage, it's ridiculously good."
5 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
T: 212.691.2360 | toro-nyc.com
Book a Table
Photograph courtesy of Decoy
PEKING DUCK | Decoy
Chef Joe Ng and restaurateur Ed Schoenfeld's palace to peking duck has a large communal table. Book ahead to reserve your duck and brings lots of friends to share it. Don't miss the cocktails at the bar where you can drink and order snacks.
Downstairs, 529-1/2 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
T: 212.691.9700 | www.decoynyc.com
Book a Table
Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
DIM SUM | Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Dim Sum is ideal for sharing and at Nom Wah Tea Parlor you'll feel like you've stepped onto a Hollywood movie set. It opened in 1920 as a bakery and a tea parlor. Wally Tang took over in 1974 and now the next generation, Wilson Tang, is running the restaurant. The interior has had a few updates, but retains the vintage look.
13 Doyers Street, New York, NY 10013
T: 212.962.6047 | nomwah.com
Book a Table
DISCOVER OUR 24-HOUR GUIDES FOR NYC
NEW YORK CITY FEATURES
